Binder.



FREDERICK A. CLEVELAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 21, 1906.

Application filed February 15, 1906. Serial No. 301,253.

To all uli/1,0m it may concer-r1,.-

Beit known that I, FREDERICK A. CLEVE- LAND, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inv Binders, of which the followinfg is a specification.

This invention relates to binders of the loose-leaf typ'e,'the object being to provide a device of simple construction for use in connection with covers or binders of this class which will be positive in its action and easily operated. The use of binders of this descripn tion is well understood, and it is not thought necessary to enter into an explanation of their operation further than to state the principal requirement, which is that any number of pages or leaves may be inserted, replaced, ortaken out without disturbing the remaining leaves.

The object of my invention is to provide a device which shall meet this requirement and accomplish the result by the use of a simple locking'mechanism which does not require separate keys or other devices to operate the same and which shall be self-contained and operated by turning the book on one side to lock the covers in any desired position and to release the same by simply reversing the position ofthe book. To accomplish this resuit, I provide an upper and lower clampingsectien, which may be attached to the covers of a binder. These clamping-sections are normally held a art by the action of springs contained inte escopi'ng members attached to said clamping-sections in the usual manner. Attached to one of these clamping-sections, preferably the upper, I provide a post which carries a pawl or dog which is adapted to engage projections on the interior of a cooperating post or casting which is secured to the lower clamping-section- This latter post 0r casing is adapted to telescope over the post carrying the pawl or dog. The construction of `these parts is such that when the clamping-sections are in the position just indicated a free inward movement is permitted, and the pawl or dog will operate to prevent an outward movement of the members. As the position of the clamping-sections and attached covers is reversed the pawl or dog will fall out of engagement and allow the clamping-sections to be separated by the actions of the springs heretofore referred to or by other suitable means.

The construction and operation of the device will be more fully explained in connection with the drawings accompanying this specification.

Figure l is a perspective side elevation of a pair of clamping-sections or binder-frames with the covers and leaves of the book omitL ted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation yin section of the telescoping members carrying the locking mechanism. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation and detail view of the post carrying the pawl or dog.

In Fig. l at l and 2 are shown an upper and lower clamping-section, respectively, which may be attached by any the covers of the binder. At 3 3 are shown telescoping members containing springs which operate normally to separate the clamping-sections 1 and 2. post attached to the upper clamping-section 1 by any suitable means and preferably in such a manner that it may be rotated therein. This post carries at its lower end a pawl or dog, such as shown at 5. This pawl is pivotally attached to the post 4 in a slot at the lower end thereof and may swing freely to either side and engage the serrations or projections on the inside of the casing 7 when the parts are in the position shown in the drawings.

In Fig. 2 the pawl is shown in its operative position engaging one of the telescoping members. The serrations kor projections on the interior of the casing 7 are preferably in the form of a spiral or thread in order to provide for a final tightening ofthe clamping members by turning the post 4. A slot may be provided at the lower end ofthe post 4, in which is positioned the pawl 5 and a recess connecting therewith, in which one or more auxiliary weights, preferably spherical in shape, such as 8, are contained. The object of these weights is to insure a more positive action and a quicker movement of the pawl or dog 5. This allows the pawl or dog to be made very small and light, thus taking up very little space and permitting of a very compact construction, which is especially desirable in a device of this kind, at the same time by the use of these auxiliary weights, Which are contained in the post itself, and so require no additional room, all of the advantages of a suitable means to At 4 is shown a.

IOO

heavier dog' are obtained and in addition a much quicker action is insured because of the fact that when the covers and clamping-sections are reversed in position from that shown in the drawings these weights will quickly fall away from the dog and allow it to drop out of engagement with the casing and permit the post 4 to be drawn out until the shoulder provided on the same engages the outer end of the casing 7.

The pawl or dog 5 is of peculiar construction and embodies some of the principal features of my invention. In its preferred form (illustrated in the drawings) the pawl is pivotally attached to the lower end of the post 4 in the slot provided therefor, as above described. Projections are provided intermediary of the ends of the pawl, said proj ections being located on opposite sides thereof and are adapted to engage the serrations on the interior of the casing 7 on either side, depending upon which way the pawl falls. At the end opposite to the pivot a tapered projection is provided, which is adaptedto be engaged by the auxiliaryweights 8. The obg ject of these weights, as has been stated, is to insure a more positive and quicker movement of the pawl, and, furthermore, when the parts are in the operative position, as shown in Fig. 2, these weights assist in holding the pawl in yengagement with the casing on account of the wedging action of the same between the retaining-wall of the recess and the tapered projection on the pawl.

While in the preferred construction shown two engaging projections or points are provided on opposite sides of the pawl,it will be evident that the same would be operative with one such projection. In this case it would only be necessary to provide a stop to limit the movement and insure the falling of the pawl to one side to lock the telescoping members against the separation.

In operation, assuming that the covers stand in the position shown in the drawings, any desired number of leaves may be inserted between the clamping-sections and covers and the upper cover may be pressed down until the leaves are securely clamped or held and the cover will be retained in such a position by means of the locking dog or pawl, as

explained. A further tightening may be veffected by turning the post l and the attached dog, which engages the spiral threadlike projections on the interior of the casing 7. The post 4 may be turned by using an ordinary screw-driver in the slot of the screw at the upper end thereof or by other suitable means.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that all of the moving parts are contained within the inner post and thatno springs or other actuating means are necessary to insure the positive operation of the locking pawl or dog, gravity alone being the actuating force.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of my invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, I intend that all the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is-- 1. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair 1 of telescoping members, and a pawl or dog carried by one of the said members having A engaging projections located intermediary of ,8o the ends and on opposite sides of the axis thereof and adapted to engage the other ofv said members.

2. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair of telescoping members, a pawl or dog car- .85 ried by one of said members having engaging projections on opposite sides thereof and adapted to engage the other of said members, f and an auxiliaryv weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same.

3. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair of telescoping members, a pawl or dog' car-i ried by one of said members having engaging i I projections located on opposite sides and in- `.9 5 termediary of the ends thereof and adapted to engage the other of said members, and an i n auxiliary weight cooperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same.

4. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair of telescoping members, a pawl or dog having one end pivotally attached to one of said members and the opposite end thereof adapted to be engaged by an auxiliary weight and also having a portion thereof adapted to engage the other of said members, and an auxiliary weight adapted to engage saidpawl or dog to acceleratethe action of the same.

5. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair i of telescoping members, a pawl-or dog having A one end pivotally attached f to one of said members and the opposite end thereof adapt- 1 ed to be engaged by an auxiliary weight and also having a portion located intermediary of the ends thereof adapted to engage the other of said members, and an auxiliary weight adapted to engage said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same. 6. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair'- of telescoping members, a pawl or doghaving engaging projections on opposite sides intermediary of the ends thereof and also havingy a projection at one end adapted to be en-` gaged by an auxiliary weight,'and an auxil-` iary weight cooperating with said pawl orv dog to accelerate the action of the same.

7. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair IOO IIO

- same.

or dog carried by one of said members and having engaging projections on opposite sides intermediary of the ends thereof adapted to engage the other of said members, and an auxiliary weight coperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the 8. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair of telescoping members, an oscillatory pawl or dog pivotally attached to one of said mem# bers and having engaging projections on opposite sides intermediary of the ends thereof adapted to engage the other of said members, and an auxiliary weight coperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same.

9. In a binder-lock, in combination, a-pair of telescoping members, a pawl or dog pivotally attached to one of said members and having a projection adapted to be engaged by an auxiliary weight and also having portions on opposite sides thereof adapted to engage the other of said members, and an auxiliary weight coperating with said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same.

10. In a binder-lock, in combination, a.

pair of telescoping members, a pawl or dog having one end pivotally attached to one of said members, said pawl or dog having a portion thereof adapted to be engaged by an auxiliary weight and also having portions on opposite sides thereof adapted to engage the other of said members, and an auxiliary weight adapted to engage said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same.

l1. In a binder-lock, in combination, a air of telescoping members, a pawl or dog aving one end pivotally attached to one of said members and the opposite end adapted to be engaged by an auxiliary weight and also having portions on opposite sides thereof adapted to engage the other of said members, and an auxiliary'weight adapted to engage said pawl or dog to accelerate the action of the same.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 24th day of January, A. D. 1906.

FREDERICK A. CLEVELAND.

Witnesses:

CHAUNGEY H. CRooxER, A WILLIAM N. PEAL. 

